Most of the NBA 2026 post-season field has been set, but, a few teams are still jockeying for the final playoff spots in both the Eastern and Western Conference. The last two spots in each conference will be decided through the annual NBA Play-In Tournament, which gives the 7-10 seed teams in each conference a chance to duke it out on the court to lock in a post-season run.
The Sofi NBA play-in tournament begins Tuesday, April 14 and runs through Friday, April 17, exclusively on Prime Video. You can watch all of the action on Amazon Prime Video through your DIRECTV subscription!
What is the Sofi NBA Play-In Tournament?
A relatively new feature of the NBA season, the NBA Play-In Tournament is designed to expand the playoff competition in the NBA by including more teams in contention for a playoff spot. Originally adopted during the 2021 season, it has since become a permanent feature, providing a rare winner-take-all style environment before the playoffs begin.
How Does the NBA Play-In Tournament Work?
The teams that ended the NBA regular season in the seventh through tenth seeds in the Eastern and Western Conference face off to determine who will be the final two teams heading into each conference’s playoff bracket. The qualifying teams play a short round robin tournament to determine who will claim the final two spots in each conference playoff bracket. The winners take the 7- and 8-seeds in their conference.
Play-In Tournament Bracket Format
The 7th and 8th seeds in each conference play each other, with the winner becoming the 7-seed. The 9- and 10-seeds play each other, with the loser being eliminated and the winner of the 9-10 game playing the loser of the 7-8 game to determine the 8-seed.
When is the NBA Play-In Tournament?
The NBA play-in tournament begins April 14, 2026 and runs through Friday, April 17, 2026.
How to Watch the NBA Play-In Tournament
All of the NBA play-in tournament games will be hosted exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, which you can connect to right from your DIRECTV account.
2026 NBA Play-In Tournament Bracket & Schedule
Here’s a look at which teams will participate in the NBA Play-In Tournament this year.
Eastern Conference
(10) Miami Heat at (9) Charlotte Hornets – Hornets win
(8) Orlando Magic at (7) Philadelphia 76ers – 76ers win
(9) Charlotte Hornets at (8) Orlando Magic – Friday, April 17 @ 7:30 p.m. – Winner plays (1) Detroit Pistons in first round
Western Conference
(8) Portland Trail Blazers at (7) Phoenix Suns – Trail Blazers win
(10) Golden State Warriors at (9) Los Angeles Clippers – Warriors wins
(10) Golden State Warriors at (7) Phoenix Suns – Friday, April 17 @ 7:30 p.m. – Winner plays (1) Oklahoma City Thunder in first round
NBA Playoffs Schedule
The playoffs will be broadcast on ABC (Check local listings for channel number), ESPN, Prime Video, NBC, Peacock and NBA TV.
Watch the NBA Playoffs and Play-In Tournament on DIRECTV
Don’t miss a single slam dunk, lay-up or heartbreaking elimination. Get DIRECTV today to catch every single game of the 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament and the NBA Playoffs, plus more live sports.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NBA Play-In Tournament?
When is the NBA Play-In Tournament in 2026?
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